Gary Clarence, 43, broke down in court as he saw wife Tania in the dock accused of killing their three-year-old twin boys and and four-year-old daughter

A devastated dad locked eyes with his wife across a courtroom for the first time today since she allegedly murdered their three young disabled children.

Investment banker Gary Clarence fought back tears as wife Tania, 42, faced charges of killing little Olivia and twins Ben and Max, who were found dead this week.

In a smart black suit and flanked by relatives, Mr Clarence, 43, was hugged by friends as he entered the court room.

He sat on the front row of the public gallery with his gaze fixed on the glass-fronted dock at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court, south west London, as his wife was brought up from the cells below.

In a voice barely audible through her own tears, Mrs Clarence spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth during a two minute hearing.

Wearing a grey top with a white long-sleeved top underneath, his wife looked fragile as she stood in the glass-fronted dock, accused of the triple murder.

She is accused of three counts of murdering a child aged over one year old between April 20 and April 23 this year.

Mr Clarence was escorted out of the court by police officers and driven away in a black taxi.

He did not say anything as he walked down the court steps and through a scrum of photographers.

A female police officer stopped traffic to allow Mr Clarence to be driven off quickly.

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Gary Clarence leaves Wimbledon Magistrates Court, south west London, where his wife Tania appeared in court charged with murdering three of their children who were found dead at their house in New Malden

All three young children were said to have suffered from spinal muscular atrophy.

Also known as floppy baby syndrome, the genetic condition leaves children with little control of their movements and can drastically shorten life expectancy.

Police were called to the family's five-bedroom home in Thetford Road in the wealthy south west London suburb of New Malden at 9.30pm on Tuesday night where they discovered the bodies.

Mrs Clarence, who also has a healthy eight-year-old daughter, was arrested shortly afterwards.

Mr Clarence, who works at the City bank Investec, is said to have been away in the family's native South Africa with their eldest daughter at the time of the deaths.

No formal plea was entered and Mrs Clarence was remanded in custody.

Chairwoman of the bench Fiona Abbott said: "For these three charges you will be sent to the Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on 9 May.

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Gary Clarence (centre) leaves Wimbledon Magistrates Court, south west London, where his wife Tania appeared in court charged with murdering three of their children who were found dead at their house in New Malden

"There will be a bail application at the Central Criminal Court at 10am on 29 April."

Two uniformed police officers stood guard outside the courtroom and the public gallery was packed with press during today's short hearing.

Mrs Clarence is originally from South Africa and moved to Britain with her husband some years ago.